multi-tasking

moms are famous for their unequaled ability to multi-task.
but don't you love it when you find a product that does the same?
enter cheez-it scrabble edition.

you can give the kids their snack/challenge their spelling/play a game all at the same time.

jack was hungry but displayed the family name

olivia did more playing than eating and came up with quite a spread

# 11

on august 25 we celebrated jack's 11th birthday. he even invited those neighbors and they came and had a wonderful time. we kept things simple--400 water balloons, lots of games and ice cream cake. izze carbonated juice drinks, and thank you treat bags.

they had a great time, and jack had a great birthday. they were all soaked at the end of the day, but hopefully went home tired and worn down from that sugar/water balloon rush!

we love you jack!
happy birthday!

catching up

between caring for a newborn, pulling the last 2 kids out of public school back to homeschool, 2 birthdays, 6 visits from company, teaching sunday school, robin coaching soccer and taking in-laws to doctor appointments, i've neglected updating our scrapbook blog. i'll get to it soon, sometime in the next 3 days, before i leave for the mops convention in nashville on thursday, i'll post a bunch of stuff i don't want to forget about. meanwhile, 3 couples and their families are coming for dinner tonight, i'm taking karis to work for one of the last times (she'll be getting her own car this week, Lord willing) and trying to catch up with the wash (it's clean, just not all folded...). enjoy these taken and edited by olivia herself.

book review

a recent library treasure is this book published by the metropolitan museum of art.

titled, "can you hear it?" it features 13 songs on cd that accompany art pieces and challenge kids and parents alike to hear what the composer was trying to convey in his piece.

we enjoyed this book (and boys will be boys, pete and mike liked the war one best). highly recommended!